Guides’s brunch scene is strong enough to draw people from other suburbs. The suburb runs unpretentious, multicultural, value-driven — and the brunch options reflect it. Expect to pay $15-22 for a main, plus $4.00-4.50 for coffee.
We’ve done Saturday morning queues at all of them. These are the ones worth the wait.
The Best
1. Mia — 323 Blake Grove
Price: $15-22 Wait: Minimal wait except Saturday 10-12pm
The benchmark. Mia nails the brunch format without making it a production. The menu is tight — 9 dishes, all executed well. The corn fritters ($20) with chipotle crema and a poached egg are the dish that brings people back. The shakshuka ($22) is proper — spiced tomato, not sweet.
| Dish | Price | Our Take |
|---|---|---|
| Smashed avo | $22 | Elevated with dukkah, lemon, and feta |
| Big breakfast | $27 | Complete — nothing missing |
| Corn fritters | $23 | The signature dish for a reason |
| Shakshuka | $21 | Properly spiced, served in the skillet |
| Ricotta hotcakes | $23 | Light, fluffy, berry compote |
2. Room — 110 Fitzroy Avenue
Price: $15-22 Wait: Short — this one flies under the radar
Less known than Mia but arguably better value. The Turkish eggs ($23) — poached eggs over garlicky yoghurt with chilli oil — is the best single brunch dish in Guides. The space is cozy, the coffee is from Allpress, and the service understands that Saturday morning people are not morning people.
3. Theo — 338 Church Parade
Price: $15-22 Vibe: All-day breakfast energy
The acai bowl ($17) is thick and properly loaded. This is where Guides locals go when Mia has a queue.
4. Humble Works — 146 North Lane
Price: $15-22
The kid-friendly option. High chairs, a kids menu that isn’t just chicken nuggets, and a courtyard where children can exist without you getting dirty looks. The hash stack is a proper breakfast on its own.
5. Cardinal — 281 Pine Crescent
Price: $15-22
The newest addition to Guides’s brunch lineup. Opened late 2025 and already has a following for their house-baked sourdough. Small room — 25 seats — so go early or late.
Brunch Price Comparison
| Spot | Cheapest Main | Best Value | Avg Spend (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mia | $20 | Big breakfast | $30-35 |
| Room | $16 | Turkish eggs | $28-32 |
| Theo | $17 | Acai bowl | $25-30 |
| Humble Works | $17 | Kids menu | $28-35 (family) |
| Cardinal | $21 | Specials board | $30-35 |
Survival Tips
Beating the queue: Go before 9am or after 12:30pm. The 9:30-11:30am window is brutal on Saturdays at every spot on this list. Sunday is slightly better than Saturday at most places.
Parking: Public transport options in Guides is your best bet. If you drive, Fitzroy Avenue has metered spots and side streets are easier after 10am when the commuters have left.
Group bookings: Mia takes bookings for 6+. Most others are walk-in only — for larger groups, arrive before 9am.
Dogs: Room and Cardinal allow dogs in their outdoor areas. Bowls of water are usually provided without asking.
Dietary: All five spots handle gluten-free (sourdough swap, $2 extra) and alternative milks (oat, soy, almond — 50c-$1). Fully vegan brunch is best at Theo.
Payment: All accept card. Theo has a $10 minimum for card payments. None are cash-only.
What Makes Guides Brunch Different
Guides’s brunch scene draws from the suburb’s unpretentious, multicultural, value-driven character.
The coffee at all five spots is sourced from Melbourne-based specialty roasters — this is Melbourne, bad coffee doesn’t survive regardless of suburb. The food quality gap between Guides and the CBD brunch scene has shrunk to almost nothing, but the prices are easier to stomach on a weekend and the queues are significantly shorter.
Nearby
- Melbourne CBD Brunch
- Guides Cafes — for coffee, not brunch
- Guides Cheap Eats — brunch on a budget
- All Guides Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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